Method of producing an absorbent composition

ABSTRACT

A method of producing an absorbent composition. A polymeric material characterized as having surface anionic reactive sites is mixed with a source of multivalent metal ions to render the polymeric material sorbent of aqueous liquids. A dispersant is then added to form a wet slurry which is subsequently dried to a granular consistency.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. applicationSer. No. 669,363, filed Mar. 14, 1991, which is in turn acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 450,579 filed Dec. 14,1989, now abandoned.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention deals with method of producing an absorbentcomposition. The composition is capable of absorbing and immobilizingaqueous bodily fluids and is designed for use in such diverse areas asdiapers, feminine hygiene products, incontinent pads, surgical dressingsand towels and in suction canisters, emesis basins and witharthroscopies and cystoscopies. Although such products have been madeavailable in the past, prior to the present invention, there has notbeen a successful disposable product which is biodegradable and which iscapable of absorbing such bodily fluids in an amount up to approximately100 times the composition's own weight without significant mechanicalintervention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As the general population becomes increasingly environmentallyconscious, there has been a growing trend away from the use ofdisposable diapers and similar products. Present-day disposable diapersbiodegrade at such a slow rate that, for all practical purposes, theproducts are considered non-biodegradable and, as such, can result inacute environmental damage. Large urban areas are simply running out ofdisposal areas and for those products which are non-recyclable, andwhich do not biodegrade, landfill sites can be considered toxicallyunsafe after the landfill capacity has been exhausted.

As a result of these concerns, many government agencies, both on thelocal and state levels, have gone so far as to completely outlaw thesale of disposable diapers and similar products. Although such productsare convenient to use, particularly when a home laundry facility isunavailable, such as during vacation travel, unless a biodegradableproduct is at hand, disposable diapers and similar articles will simplydisappear from grocery store shelves.

In addition to the need for biodegradable products, it is quite oftendesirable to provide a system for absorbing and preferably alsodisinfecting and/or immobilizing bodily fluids as these fluids can beinfected with pathogenic bacteria, viruses, fungi and other matter. Thepotential source of pathogenicity has been acute with the knowledge andidentification of certain pathogens such as hepatitis B and the AIDSvirus.

It is further critical that an effective composition be provided that iscapable of the immobilization and preferably solidification ofinfectious liquids without the need for any mechanical intervention.Preferably, the immobilized or solidified liquids can be made thesubject of disinfection and appropriately landfilled, autoclaved orincinerated in accordance with local, State and Federal regulations. Theneed for such a protocol has been highlighted by the amendment made to29 C.F.R. §1910.1030 which provides for the federal regulation under theOccupational Safety and Health Act, 29 U.S.C. 655, 657 to controlbloodborne pathogens. Specifically, the Act calls for the establishmentof an exposure control plan, the containment of specimens of blood orother potentially infectious materials and the general tightening ofprecautionary measures to minimize the spread of disease. Immobilizationof blood, urine and other bodily fluids would greatly facilitatecompliance with the above-referenced Act.

Congress has recently reported on the Medical Waste Tracking Actconfirming that medical waste, although not a particular environmentalproblem, at least any more so than any other disposable trash orgarbage, does represent a significant workplace hazard. As such, it isfurther contemplated that the present invention will enhance workplacesafety.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a system forabsorbing and/or immobilizing an entire host of diverse bodily fluidsand other infectious or noninfectious aqueous liquids.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide variousdisposable products containing the present absorbing and/or immobilizingagents which are biodegradable and thus environmentally preferred whencompared to corresponding products currently available.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide asuperior means for containing and disinfecting potential infectiousliquids and to allow for their disposal without the spread of pathogensand consequent disease.

It remains yet an additional object of the present invention to providea method of producing an absorbent composition which is capable ofabsorbing up to 100 times by weight of a liquid without significantmechanical intervention or stirring.

These and further objects of the present invention will be more fullyappreciated when considering the following disclosure and appendedclaims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Broadly, the present invention is directed to a method of producing anabsorbent composition as well as the composition produced by said methodand various products embodying or containing said composition.

The method comprises producing a granular absorbent composition byheterogeneously surface reacting polymeric material with a source ofmulti-valent metal ions to render the polymeric material sorbent toaqueous liquids. The polymeric material is characterized as havingsurface anionic reactive sites. When dealing with water solublepolymeric material, liquid dispersant is added only after the dryadmixture has been created to form a wet slurry which is subsequentlydried to granular consistency. Preferably the composition is dispersedby the liquid dispersant but not dissolved therein.

It is hypothesized that the polymeric materials, when combined withmulti-valent metal ions form ionic bridges between polymer chains ontheir grain surfaces which when mixed with aqueous based materials cancreate intimate mixtures without clumping or swelling.

The absorbing composition of the present invention is preferably in theform of a granular powder of a flour to rice consistency which cancontain a sanitizing or disinfecting agent such as orthophenylphenol,T-amylphenol, ortho-benzylchlorophenol, citric acid, boric acid,triethanolamine, sodium borate or methylparaben. A wetting agent can beemployed, for example, fluorinated polymers such as the Fluorads™ whichare sold by Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Co., or as Silwet™surfactants which are available from Union Carbide or similar productsof Dow Corning such as 190, which are a class of ethoxylated siliconebackbone polymers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It was originally hypothesized that a highly absorptive system could becomposed of cross-linked polyacrylate salts. Although sodium andpotassium polyacrylate salts work well under some conditions, such saltsdo not work well in the presence of electrolytes or at a low pH. At lowpH, the polymer chains coil up and do not accept water, whereas at highelectrolyte concentrations, the electronegatively charged chains areblanked by cations, thereby reducing their capacity to absorb water.Further, cross-linked polyacrylates are not biodegradable and theircapacity to absorb is decreased by the presence of alcohols such asethanol and isopropanol which are often found in medical settings.However, when suitable polymeric materials such as polyacrylamide andpolyacrylic acids and their copolymers are "bridged" with a suitablemulti-valent ion such as Al⁺³ creating hydrophobic coated particles,their swelling capacity and rates are enhanced as they and theirsensitivity to pH and solvents such as alcohols are decreased.

Others have even used glucosidic materials in producing absorbentcompositions. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,959,341 teaches a compositioncomprising a carboxylic acid with a substantial hydrophobic region, abranched complex carbohydrate and cross-linking agent such that thecomposition can be hydrated and crosslinked simultaneously in thepresence of a hydrating solution. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,952,550teaches a method of making a particulate absorbent composition byreacting a carboxylated cellulosic material with cross-linking andhydrophobicity agents. The reaction product is separated and waterremoved therefrom until the composition is dehydrated and a particulateis formed of the absorbent material. However, these materials requiresignificant mechanical intervention to achieve a homogeneous gel andthey exhibit low sorbancies in the 10-20 part liquid to 1 part anhydrousprepared sorbent range. Furthermore, preparation of these materials inan anhydrous environment is quite inconvenient.

By contrast, the absorbent composition of the present invention employspolymeric material characterized as having surface anionic reactivesites such as carboxymethyl groups (R_(p) COO⁻) wherein R_(p) comprisesone or more members selected from the group consisting of glucosidics,acrylics, acrylic acid copolymers, polyacrylamide/acrylic acidcopolymers, starch, carboxymethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose gumand sulphonated cellulose which are combined with multi-valent metalions such as an Al⁺³, CA⁺² and Mg⁺² to create hydrophobic coatedparticles. The combining should be carried out as a dry admixture whenthe polymer is water soluble. It is preferred that the ion Al⁺³ beemployed which can be derived from, for example, aluminum acetate oraluminum sulphate. This dry admixture can then be added to a liquiddispersant to form a wet slurry which is dried to a coarse granularconsistency. The solvent is preferably an alcohol such as methanol,ethanol and isopropanol which, combined with or without a small amountof water, acts to hydrophobically coat the individual particles formingionic bridges but does not act to dissolve the polymeric material. Thecombination of the dry and wet components creates a somewhat dry crumblyslurry that resembles slightly wetted sand.

The granular absorbent composition produced by the method recited aboveoperates in the formation of ionic bridges formed between polymer chainsand creation of hydrophobic coated particles by use of a multi-valention which is employed in combination with a liquid dispersant. The newlycreated particles, due to their hydrophobicity resist clumping andpremature absorption in aqueous media resulting in particles which canabsorb, for example, urine at a rate greater than 15 cc per secondwithout any mechanical intervention which is the approximate human rateof urination and will absorb up to 100 parts by weight of liquid to onepart solid. These absorption characteristics are repeatedly observed forliquids bearing both acid and alkaline pH's. In certain embodiments,this composition is polysaccharide based and it is thus biodegradable.Further, due to its biodegradable nature, such products as diaperscontaining this composition may be flushed into the sewer system asopposed to burial in landfills.

As optional expedients, the present composition can contain apolysiloxane derivative and super wetting agents, for example,Silwet™7614 which is available from Union Carbide and FC171, availablefrom 3M which are flurochemical nonionic surfactants. Silwet™7614 is acombination of a siloxane and an ethoxylated end group residue. Alsouseful is Dow 190 which is a product sold by Dow Corning. Use of thesewetting agents helps to disperse the particles as a slurry.

The absorbent composition of the present invention does not rely uponthe use of a carboxylic acid in its formulation and, further, there isno need to add this composition to water to form a solution followed byprecipitation with a multi-valent ion as is done in the prior art. Thepresent composition can be added to water and/or saline which will thengel 20 to 100 times its weight virtually instantly without the need formechanical intervention or stirring as a result primarily of theabove-noted surface hydrophobicity of individual particles which tend torepel each other in aqueous media. By contrast, prior absorbersgenerally fail because they start absorbing too rapidly thereby gelblocking or hydrating to an excess forming undispersed clumps whichprecludes full swelling or absorption. These physical characteristicswere clearly observed when dealing with the absorbing polymers disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 4,090,013, even though the composition disclosed inthis reference included sodium carboxymethyl cellulose which has beenmodified with various multi-valent ions including Al⁺³. In this regard,it is noted that the prior art teaches reacting polymers and ionshomogeneously while the present absorbing composition is createdheterogeneously. The reactions which are carried out here are at thesurface or boundary layer of the particles.

The preferred polymeric material can be, for example,polyacrylamide/acrylic acid copolymers, starch, carboxymethyl cellulose,carboxymethyl cellulose gum and sulphonated cellulose. The preferredcarboxymethyl cellulose gum is sodium carboxymethyl cellulose.Multi-valent metal ions such as Al⁺³ derived from, for example, aluminumacetate or aluminum sulfate act to form ionic bridges between thesevarious ionic group polymer chains within each discrete particle. Asnoted above, the reactions are at the surfaces of each particle. Theprevents the particles from absorbing each other and provides for thesurprisingly good absorption characteristics observed/ This particulargelling agent or absorbent works across a wide concentration ofelectrolytes and is capable of gelling blood and normal saline over awide pH range.

One of the preferred immobilizing compositions comprises a cellulosederivative of the following structure which may or may not be partiallycrosslinked: ##STR1## Where the D.S. of the carboxyl groups areapproximately 1 to 3.

The above is admixed with approximately 0.1-5% by weight of thefollowing with the sodium salt being approximately 50-90% of the finalmix but with 75-80% being preferred: ##STR2##

The "coarser" materials are preferred--materials similar to sand orcoarse table salt work which wet more easily than materials with theconsistency of fine sugar or flour.

Also included as possible preferred disinfectants in the system arephenols and their derivatives such as orthophenylphenol,benzylchlorophenol and amylphenol and their sodium salts at a level of0.1-3.0% with 1.9-2.1% preferred.

As previously noted, when dealing with water soluble polymers, it is notonly the ingredients but the manner in which they have been combinedwhich greatly facilitate the utility of the present invention. Firstly,the polymer and source of multivalent ion are dry admixed. It is thencontemplated that a fairly dry slurry be formed employing an alcoholsuch as ethanol, methanal or isopropanol or similar fluid in order tocombine the anionic polymer with the anti-foaming agent and wettingagents. The antifoaming agent, namely, polysiloxane, prevents clumpingof the polymer granules while the wetting agent helps to hydrate thepolymer. The source of trivalent metal ions such as aluminum acetate ispoorly soluble in water. The polysiloxane derivatives initially form ahydrophobic barrier to keep the granular polymeric material separatedbut over a period one half to four minutes allow the individual grainsto swell and grow thereby free-swelling through the volume of liquid tobe solidified. In addition, these wetting agents act to prevent clumpingand aid in the dispersion of the granular material before gel formationin the aqueous medium. In the event of salt bridging or ionic linkingbefore dispersion, clumping would be visibly noticeable which isobviously an unacceptable quality or characteristic of such acomposition. Only in practice of the present invention has polymericmaterial been capable of swelling, immobilizing and adsorpting withoutsignificant mechanical intervention.

EXAMPLE I

A composition was prepared of the following ingredients.

    ______________________________________                                                                 Percentage                                           Ingredient      Amount   (By Weight)                                          ______________________________________                                        Aqualon A-250   805.5 g. 80.54                                                Aluminum Acetate                                                                               64.4 g. 6.44                                                 Isopropyl Alcohol                                                                             124.9 g. 12.49                                                FC-171           4.9 g.  0.49                                                 Polysiloxane     0.4 g.  0.04                                                 ______________________________________                                    

The composition was prepared by mixing the Aqualon A-250 in powderedform with aluminum acetate which is also in the form of a powder. Thismixture was shaken for 15 minutes and the powdered ingredients mixedwith the liquid ingredients. The liquids were premixed before additionto the powders. Isopropyl alcohol, FC-171 and the polysiloxane werecombined in a separate bottle. The two bottles were prepared andagitated for five minutes and were then mixed. The combination wasallowed to stand for four hours and then spread onto aluminum foil andallowed to dry overnight. The dried powder was then pulverized andsifted and put in a container the next day.

It was recognized that the A-250 does not "wet" well. However, thisproblem was overcome by the addition of the wetting agent FC-171. It, aswell as the Silwet L-7614, a non-ionic ethylene oxide modifiedpolysiloxane act to reduce surface tension to a range of approximately20-30 dynes/cm, Alternatively, a small amount (5-25%) of the mixture canbe H₂ O. The prior addition of a small amount of H₂ O increases the freeswell of the gelling material and increases the wetting rate. However,at the upper limit, clumping of the mix may occur requiring considerablesieving and pulverizing.

It was found that the product of Example I at the 1-3% solids level iscapable of immediately wetting and gelling blood, saline and otherbodily fluids without mechanical intervention.

Aqualon A-250, is a brand of high molecular weight sodium CMC sold byHercules and is difficult to dissolve without considerable heat, timeand stirring. Even then, as the examples below will illustrate, it doesnot form an immobilizing gel, but instead forms a highly viscous liquid.

EXAMPLE II

A composition was prepared by first combining the dry ingredientscomprising 3200 g of Aqualon A-250 CMC gum with 512 g of aluminumacetate. These ingredients were added to a ball mill jar with 18 marblesand mixed for 15 minutes.

The wet ingredients were individually mixed by adding 800 g ofisopropanol to 192 g of orthobenzylparachlorophenol (OBCP) sold underthe trademark Dowicide by the Dow Chemical Company. To these liquidingredients were further added 38.4 g of the wetting agent FC-171 and3.2 g of Antifoam A, a polysiloxane sold by Dow Corning. These liquidingredients were shaken for two to three minutes and added to the drycomponents in the mixing jar into which an additional 18 marbles wereadded. The pasty composition was mixed for 30 minutes until thoroughlymixed and spread on a horizontal surface as a thin sheet and driedovernight. The composition was then sieved and was suitable for use.

It was noted that when approximately one-quarter of the weight of thedry ingredients were employed as the liquid component, an appropriatewet powder was achieved, ideal for producing the desired product. Of thetotal ingredients, approximately 5-50% (by weight) of the alcoholcomponent can be employed with 10-20% (by weight) being preferred. Thewetting agent, such as FC 171, should be used between approximately0.1-1.0% (by weight) while the polysiloxane derivative should be usedbetween 0.1-0.5% (by weight).

In each of the examples, III-XXIV, the dry ingredients were weighedseparately and mixed together in a plastic jar for two minutes. The wetingredients were likewise weighed separately and mixed together in aplastic jar. After preparation of the liquid ingredients, they wereadded to the dry ingredients in a plastic jar and capped. Each of themixes were shaken for two minutes and allowed to stand for four hours toswell. The mixes were then spread onto an aluminum foil sheet and driedat ambient temperatures for eight hours.

EXAMPLE III

    ______________________________________                                                   Manufacturer                                                                             Weight   % of Mix                                       ______________________________________                                        Dry Ingredients                                                               Aqualon A-250                                                                              Aqualon      805.5    80.55                                      Aluminum Acetate                                                                           Niacet        64.4     6.44                                      Wet Ingredients                                                               Isopropyl Alcohol                                                                          Ashland      124.9    12.49                                      FC 171       3M            4.8      0.48                                      Antifoam A   Dow           0.4      0.04                                      Total                     1000.0   100.00                                     ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE IV

    ______________________________________                                                   Manufacturer                                                                             Weight   % of Mix                                       ______________________________________                                        Dry Ingredients                                                               Aqualon A-250                                                                              Aqualon      805.5    80.51                                      Aluminum Acetate                                                                           Niacet        64.4     6.44                                      Wet Ingredients                                                               Isopropyl Alcohol                                                                          Ashland      124.9    12.48                                      FC 171       3M            4.8      0.49                                      Antifoam A   Dow           0.8      0.09                                      Total                     1000.4   100.00                                     ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE V

    ______________________________________                                                   Manufacturer                                                                             Weight   % of Mix                                       ______________________________________                                        Dry Ingredients                                                               Aqualon A-250                                                                              Aqualon      805.5    80.47                                      Aluminum Acetate                                                                           Niacet        64.4     6.43                                      Wet Ingredients                                                               Isopropyl Alcohol                                                                          Ashland      124.9    12.47                                      FC 171       3M            4.8      0.48                                      Antifoam A   Dow           0.4      0.04                                      Fragrance 6678-AP                                                                          IFF           1.0     0.1                                        Total                     1001.4   99.99                                      ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE VI

    ______________________________________                                                   Manufacturer                                                                             Weight   % of Mix                                       ______________________________________                                        Dry Ingredients                                                               Aqualon A-250                                                                              Aqualon      805.5    80.30                                      Aluminum Acetate                                                                           Niacet        64.4     6.43                                      Wet Ingredients                                                               Isopropyl Alcohol                                                                          Ashland      124.9    12.46                                      FC 171       3M            4.8      0.48                                      Antifoam A   Dow           0.4      0.04                                      Fragrance 6678-AP                                                                          IFF           2.0     0.2                                        Total                     1002.0   100.0                                      ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE VII

    ______________________________________                                                   Manufacturer                                                                             Weight   % of Mix                                       ______________________________________                                        Dry Ingredients                                                               Aqualon A-250                                                                              Aqualon      805.5    63.24                                      Aluminum Acetate                                                                           Niacet        64.4     5.05                                      Wet Ingredients                                                               Isopropyl Alcohol                                                                          Ashland      374.7    29.42                                      FC 171       3M            4.8      0.38                                      Antifoam A   Dow           1.2      0.09                                      Silwet L-7614                                                                              Union Carbide                                                                               5.0      0.40                                      Dowicide A   Dow Chemical  18.0     1.41                                      Total                     1273.6   99.99                                      ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE VIII

    ______________________________________                                                   Manufacturer                                                                             Weight   % of Mix                                       ______________________________________                                        Dry Ingredients                                                               Aqualon A-250                                                                              Aqualon      805.5    71.06                                      Aluminum Acetate                                                                           Niacet        64.4     5.68                                      Wet Ingredients                                                               Isopropyl Alcohol                                                                          Ashland      249.0    21.97                                      FC 171       3M            4.8      0.42                                      Antifoam A   Dow Corning   4.8      0.42                                      Silwet L-7614                                                                              Union Carbide                                                                               5.0      0.44                                      Total                     1133.5   99.99                                      ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE IX

    ______________________________________                                                   Manufacturer                                                                             Weight   % of Mix                                       ______________________________________                                        Dry Ingredients                                                               Aqualon A-250                                                                              Aqualon      805.5    75.66                                      Aluminum Acetate                                                                           Niacet        64.4     6.05                                      Wet Ingredients                                                               Isopropyl Alcohol                                                                          Ashland      124.9    11.73                                      FC 171       3M            4.8      0.45                                      Silwet L-7614                                                                              Union Carbide                                                                               5.0      0.47                                      B                                                                             Isopropyl Alcohol                                                                          Ashland       50.0     4.70                                      Tap H.sub.2 O              10.0     0.94                                      Total                     1064.4   100.0                                      ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE X

    ______________________________________                                                   Manufacturer                                                                             Weight   % of Mix                                       ______________________________________                                        Dry Ingredients                                                               Aqualon A-250                                                                              Aqualon      805.5    74.96                                      Aluminum Acetate                                                                           Niacet        64.4     5.99                                      Wet Ingredients                                                               Isopropyl Alcohol                                                                          Ashland      124.9    11.62                                      FC 171       3M            4.8      0.45                                      Silwet L-7614                                                                              Union Carbide                                                                               5.0      0.46                                      B                                                                             Isopropyl Alcohol                                                                          Ashland       50.0     4.65                                      Tap H.sub.2 O              20.0     1.86                                      Total                     1074.4   99.99                                      ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE XI

    ______________________________________                                                   Manufacturer                                                                             Weight   % of Mix                                       ______________________________________                                        Dry Ingredients                                                               Aqualon A-250                                                                              Aqualon      805.5    74.27                                      Aluminum Acetate                                                                           Niacet        64.4     5.94                                      Wet Ingredients                                                               Isopropyl Alcohol                                                                          Ashland      124.9    11.51                                      FC 171       3M            4.8      0.44                                      Silwet L-7614                                                                              Union Carbide                                                                               5.0      0.46                                      B                                                                             Isopropyl Alcohol                                                                          Ashland       50.0     4.61                                      Tap H.sub.2 O              30.0     2.77                                      Total                     1084.6   100.0                                      ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE XII

    ______________________________________                                                   Manufacturer                                                                             Weight   % of Mix                                       ______________________________________                                        Dry Ingredients                                                               Aqualon A-250                                                                              Aqualon      805.5    73.59                                      Aluminum Acetate                                                                           Niacet        64.4     5.88                                      Wet Ingredients                                                               Isopropyl Alcohol                                                                          Ashland      124.9    11.41                                      FC 171       3M            4.8      0.44                                      Silwet L-7614                                                                              Union Carbide                                                                               5.0      0.46                                      B                                                                             Isopropyl Alcohol                                                                          Ashland       50.0     4.57                                      Tap H.sub.2 O              40.0     3.65                                      Total                     1094.6   100.0                                      ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE XIII

    ______________________________________                                                   Manufacturer                                                                             Weight   % of Mix                                       ______________________________________                                        Dry Ingredients                                                               Aqualon A-250                                                                              Aqualon      805.5    72.92                                      Aluminum Acetate                                                                           Niacet        64.4     5.83                                      Wet Ingredients                                                               Isopropyl Alcohol                                                                          Ashland      124.9    11.31                                      FC 171       3M            4.8      0.43                                      Silwet L-7614                                                                              Union Carbide                                                                               5.0      0.45                                      B                                                                             Isopropyl Alcohol                                                                          Ashland       50.0     4.53                                      Tap H.sub.2 O              50.0     4.53                                      Total                     1104.6   100.0                                      ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE XIV

    ______________________________________                                                   Manufacturer                                                                             Weight   % of Mix                                       ______________________________________                                        Dry Ingredients                                                               Aqualon A-250                                                                              Aqualon      805.5    74.03                                      Aluminum Acetate                                                                           Niacet        64.4     5.92                                      Wet Ingredients                                                               OBCP         Dow           23.4     2.15                                      Isopropyl Alcohol                                                                          Aldrich      124.9    11.48                                      FC 171       3M            4.8      0.44                                      Silwet L-7614                                                                              Union Carbide                                                                               5.0      0.46                                      B                                                                             Isopropyl Alcohol                                                                          Aldrich       50.0     4.60                                      H.sub.2 O                 10.0     0.92                                       Total                     1088.0   100.0                                      ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE XV

    ______________________________________                                                   Manufacturer                                                                             Weight   % of Mix                                       ______________________________________                                        Dry Ingredients                                                               Aqualon A-250                                                                              Aqualon      805.5    773.36                                     Aluminum Acetate                                                                           Niacet        64.4     5.86                                      Wet Ingredients                                                               OBCP         Dow           23.4     2.13                                      Isopropyl Alcohol                                                                          Aldrich      124.9    11.38                                      FC 171       3M            4.8      0.44                                      Silwet L-7614                                                                              Union Carbide                                                                               5.0      0.46                                      B                                                                             Isopropyl Alcohol                                                                          Aldrich       50.0     4.55                                      H.sub.2 O                  20.0     1.82                                      Total                     1098.0   100.0                                      ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE XVI

    ______________________________________                                                   Manufacturer                                                                             Weight   % of Mix                                       ______________________________________                                        Dry Ingredients                                                               Aqualon A-250                                                                              Aqualon      805.5    72.70                                      Aluminum Acetate                                                                           Niacet        64.4     5.81                                      Wet Ingredients                                                               OBCP         Dow           23.4     2.11                                      Isopropyl Alcohol                                                                          Aldrich      124.9    11.27                                      FC 171       3M            4.8      0.43                                      Silwet L-7614                                                                              Union Carbide                                                                               5.0      0.45                                      B                                                                             Isopropyl Alcohol                                                                          Aldrich       50.0     4.51                                      H.sub.2 O                  30.0     2.71                                      Total                     1108.0   99.99                                      ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE XVII

    ______________________________________                                                   Manufacturer                                                                             Weight   % of Mix                                       ______________________________________                                        Dry Ingredients                                                               Aqualon A-250                                                                              Aqualon      805.5    72.05                                      Aluminum Acetate                                                                           Niacet        64.4     5.76                                      Wet Ingredients                                                               OBCP         Dow           23.4     2.09                                      Isopropyl Alcohol                                                                          Aldrich      124.9    11.17                                      FC 171       3M            4.8      0.43                                      Silwet L-7614                                                                              Union Carbide                                                                               5.0      0.45                                      B                                                                             Isopropyl Alcohol                                                                          Aldrich       50.0     4.47                                      H.sub.2 O                  40.0     3.58                                      Total                     1118.0   100.00                                     ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE XVIII

    ______________________________________                                                   Manufacturer                                                                             Weight   % of Mix                                       ______________________________________                                        Dry Ingredients                                                               Aqualon A-250                                                                              Aqualon      805.5    71.41                                      Aluminum Acetate                                                                           Niacet        64.4     5.71                                      Wet Ingredients                                                               OBCP         Dow           23.4     2.07                                      Isopropyl Alcohol                                                                          Aldrich      124.9    11.07                                      FC 171       3M            4.8      0.43                                      Silwet L-7614                                                                              Union Carbide                                                                               5.0      0.44                                      B                                                                             Isopropyl Alcohol                                                                          Aldrich       50.0     4.43                                      H.sub.2 O                  40.0     4.43                                      Total                     1128.0   99.99                                      ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE XIX

    ______________________________________                                                   Manufacturer                                                                             Weight   % of Mix                                       ______________________________________                                        Dry Ingredients                                                               Aqualon A-250                                                                              Aqualon       80.5    62.3                                       Aluminum Acetate                                                                           Niacet        4.8      3.71                                      Wet Ingredients                                                               Isopropyl Alcohol                                                                          Ashland       12.5     9.67                                      Silwet L-7614                                                                              Union Carbide                                                                               2.0      1.55                                      OBCP         Dow           2.3      1.78                                      Antifoam A   Dow           4.8      3.71                                      B                                                                             Isopropyl Alcohol                                                                          Ashland       10.0     7.74                                      Tap H.sub.2 O              10.0     7.74                                      Total                     129.2    99.99                                      ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE XX

    ______________________________________                                                   Manufacturer                                                                             Weight   % of Mix                                       ______________________________________                                        Dry Ingredients                                                               Aqualon A-250                                                                              Aqualon       80.5    62.3                                       Aluminum Acetate                                                                           Niacet        4.8      3.71                                      Sipernat HR-22                                                                             Degussa       2.3      1.78                                      Wet Ingredients                                                               Isopropyl Alcohol                                                                          Ashland       12.5     9.67                                      Silwet L-7614                                                                              Union Carbide                                                                               2.0      1.55                                      One Stroke   Calgon Vestal                                                                               6.4      4.95                                      Vesphene se                                                                   Antifoam A   Dow           4.8      3.71                                      B                                                                             Isopropyl Alcohol                                                                          Ashland       10.0     7.74                                      Tap H.sub.2 O              5.9      4.67                                      Total                     129.2    100.00                                     ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE XXI

    ______________________________________                                                   Manufacturer                                                                             Weight   % of Mix                                       ______________________________________                                        Dry Ingredients                                                               Aqualon A-250                                                                              Aqualon       80.5    64.71                                      Aluminum Acetate                                                                           Niacet        4.8      3.86                                      Sipernat HR-22                                                                             Degussa       2.3      1.95                                      Wet Ingredients                                                               Isopropyl Alcohol                                                                          Ashland       12.5    10.05                                      Silwet L-7614                                                                              Union Carbide                                                                               2.0      1.60                                      One Stroke   Calgon Vestal                                                                               7.7      6.19                                      Vesphene H                                                                    Antifoam A   Dow           2.3      1.85                                      B                                                                             Isopropyl Alcohol                                                                          Ashland       10.0     8,04                                      Tap H.sub.2 O              4.6      3.70                                      Total                     124.4    100.00                                     ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE XXII

    ______________________________________                                                   Manufacturer                                                                             Weight   % of Mix                                       ______________________________________                                        Dry Ingredients                                                               Aqualon A-250                                                                              Aqualon       80.5    62.31                                      Aluminum Acetate                                                                           Niacet        4.8      3.71                                      Sipernat HR-22                                                                             Degussa       2.3      1.78                                      Wet Ingredients                                                               Isopropyl Alcohol                                                                          Ashland       12.5     9.67                                      Silwet L-7614                                                                              Union Carbide                                                                               1.0      0.77                                      FC 171       3M            1.0      0.77                                      One Stroke   Calgon Vestal                                                                               6.4      4.95                                      Vesphene se                                                                   Antifoam A   Dow           4.8      3.71                                      B                                                                             Isopropyl Alcohol                                                                          Ashland       10.0     7.74                                      Tap H.sub.2 O              5.9      4.67                                      Total                     129.2    100.08                                     ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE XXIII

    ______________________________________                                                   Manufacturer                                                                             Weight   % of Mix                                       ______________________________________                                        Dry Ingredients                                                               Aqualon A-250                                                                              Aqualon       80.5     2.61                                      Aluminum Acetate                                                                           Niacet        6.4      0.21                                      Wet Ingredients                                                               H.sub.2 O                 3000.0   97.18                                      Total                     3086.9   100.00                                     ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE XXIV

    ______________________________________                                        Dry Ingredients                                                                            Manufacturer Weight   % of Mix                                   ______________________________________                                        Aqualon A-250                                                                              Aqualon               100.00                                     ______________________________________                                    

When, in the above-recited examples, the liquid ingredients weresegregated as "A" and "B," they were added sequentially to the dryingredients as "A" and then "B."

In each instance, the mix was tested for absorption in tap water andsaline by weighing a 1.5 gram sample and adding it to 50 grams of liquidmedia in an uncovered plastic cup with no mixing or stirring. At thesame time, the cup containing the absorbent and adsorbate was pouredinto a kitchen strainer and allowed to drain for two to four secondsinto a weighing pan placed onto a scale that records in increments of1/10 of a gram. The amount of unabsorbed liquid was recorded andsubtracted from the starting amount which provided the absorbed amount.From these calculations, the percent of absorbance was recorded asfollows:

EXAMPLE III

    ______________________________________                                        H.sub.2 O Absorbance                                                                  Starting                                                              Elapsed Quantity  Grams      Grams   Percent                                  Time in of Liquid Retrieved  Absorbed                                                                              Absorbed                                 Minutes in Grams  Liquid     Liquid  Liquid                                   ______________________________________                                        1       50        28.4       21.6    43.2                                     2       50        00.0       50.0    100.0                                    Saline Absorbance                                                             1       50        34.0       16.0    32.0                                     2       50        17.7       32.3    64.6                                     4       50        10.4       39.6    79.2                                     8       50        7.5        42.5    85.0                                     16      50        7.7        42.3    84.6                                     ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE IV

    ______________________________________                                        H.sub.2 O Absorbance                                                                  Starting                                                              Elapsed Quantity  Grams      Grams   Percent                                  Time in of Liquid Retrieved  Absorbed                                                                              Absorbed                                 Minutes in Grams  Liquid     Liquid  Liquid                                   ______________________________________                                        1       50        0.8        49.2    98.4                                     2       50        0.0        50.0    100.0                                    Saline Absorbance                                                             1       50        13.5       36.5    73.0                                     2       50        11.3       38.7    77.4                                     4       50        6.5        43.5    87.0                                     8       50        2.8        47.2    94.4                                     16      50        1.9        48.1    96.2                                     ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE V

    ______________________________________                                        H.sub.2 O Absorbance                                                                  Starting                                                              Elapsed Quantity  Grams      Grams   Percent                                  Time in of Liquid Retrieved  Absorbed                                                                              Absorbed                                 Minutes in Grams  Liquid     Liquid  Liquid                                   ______________________________________                                        1       50        19.2       30.8    61.2                                     2       50        1.9        48.1    96.2                                     4       50        0.0        50.0    100.0                                    Saline Absorbance                                                             1       50        19.9       30.1    60.2                                     2       50        15.2       34.8    69.6                                     4       50        9.1        40.9    81.8                                     8       50        4.9        45.1    90.2                                     16      50        8.2        41.8    83.6                                     ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE VI

    ______________________________________                                        H.sub.2 O Absorbance                                                                  Starting                                                              Elapsed Quantity  Grams      Grams   Percent                                  Time in of Liquid Retrieved  Absorbed                                                                              Absorbed                                 Minutes in Grams  Liquid     Liquid  Liquid                                   ______________________________________                                        1       50        23.4       26.6    53.2                                     2       50        18.0       32.0    64.0                                     4       50        8.3        41.7    83.4                                     8       50        1.2        48.8    97.6                                     16      50        0.0        50.0    100.0                                    Saline Absorbance                                                             1       50        24.7       25.3    50.0                                     2       50        21.0       29.0    58.0                                     4       50        13.4       36.6    73.2                                     8       50        14.0       36.0    72.0                                     16      50        11.6       38.4    76.8                                     ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE VII

    ______________________________________                                        H.sub.2 O Absorbance                                                                  Starting                                                              Elapsed Quantity  Grams      Grams   Percent                                  Time in of Liquid Retrieved  Absorbed                                                                              Absorbed                                 Minutes in Grams  Liquid     Liquid  Liquid                                   ______________________________________                                        1       50        25.6       24.4    48.8                                     2       50        7.5        42.5    85.0                                     4       50        0.0        50.0    100.0                                    Saline Absorbance                                                             1       50        30.5       19.5    39.0                                     2       50        23.2       26.8    53.6                                     4       50        11.7       38.3    76.6                                     8       50        9.5        40.5    81.0                                     16      50        11.3       38.7    77.4                                     ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE VIII

    ______________________________________                                        H.sub.2 O Absorbance                                                                  Starting                                                              Elapsed Quantity  Grams      Grams   Percent                                  Time in of Liquid Retrieved  Absorbed                                                                              Absorbed                                 Minutes in Grams  Liquid     Liquid  Liquid                                   ______________________________________                                        1       50        20.8       29.2    58.4                                     2       50        6.4        43.6    87.2                                     4       50        0.0        50.0    100.0                                    Saline Absorbance                                                             1       50        19.0       31.0    62.0                                     2       50        15.1       34.9    69.8                                     4       50        5.7        44.3    88.6                                     8       50        7.8        42.2    88.4                                     16      50        1.2        48.8    97.6                                     ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE IX

    ______________________________________                                        H.sub.2 O Absorbance                                                                  Starting                                                              Elapsed Quantity  Grams      Grams   Percent                                  Time in of Liquid Retrieved  Absorbed                                                                              Absorbed                                 Minutes in Grams  Liquid     Liquid  Liquid                                   ______________________________________                                        1       50        6.4        43.6    87.2                                     2       50        1.3        48.7    97.4                                     4       50        0.0        50.0    100.0                                    Saline Absorbance                                                             1       50        21.4       28.6    57.2                                     2       50        13.4       36.6    73.2                                     4       50        11.1       38.9    77.8                                     8       50        5.8        44.2    88.4                                     16      50        5.7        44.3    88.6                                     32      50        1.1        48.9    97.8                                     ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE X

    ______________________________________                                        H.sub.2 O Absorbance                                                                  Starting                                                              Elapsed Quantity  Grams      Grams   Percent                                  Time in of Liquid Retrieved  Absorbed                                                                              Absorbed                                 Minutes in Grams  Liquid     Liquid  Liquid                                   ______________________________________                                        1       50        9.7        40.3    80.6                                     2       50        0.8        49.2    98.4                                     4       50        0.0        50.0    100.0                                    Saline Absorbance                                                             1       50        17.0       33.0    66.0                                     2       50        9.8        40.2    80.4                                     4       50        4.4        45.6    91.2                                     8       50        6.5        43.5    87.0                                     16      50        1.6        48.4    96.8                                     32      50        4.3        45.7    91.4                                     ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE XI

    ______________________________________                                        H.sub.2 O Absorbance                                                                  Starting                                                              Elapsed Quantity  Grams      Grams   Percent                                  Time in of Liquid Retrieved  Absorbed                                                                              Absorbed                                 Minutes in Grams  Liquid     Liquid  Liquid                                   ______________________________________                                        1       50        1.2        48.8    97.6                                     2       50        0.0        50.0    100.0                                    Saline Absorbance                                                             1       50        14.5       35.5    71.0                                     2       50        6.9        43.1    86.2                                     4       50        5.8        44.2    88.4                                     8       50        1.3        48.7    97.4                                     16      50        1.7        48.3    96.6                                     32      50        2.4        47.6    95.2                                     ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE XII

    ______________________________________                                        H.sub.2 O Absorbance                                                                  Starting                                                              Elapsed Quantity  Grams      Grams   Percent                                  Time in of Liquid Retrieved  Absorbed                                                                              Absorbed                                 Minutes in Grams  Liquid     Liquid  Liquid                                   ______________________________________                                        1       50        0.0        50.0    100.0                                    Saline Absorbance                                                             1       50        13.6       36.4    72.8                                     2       50        6.8        43.2    86.4                                     4       50        4.7        45.3    90.6                                     8       50        1.9        48.1    96.2                                     16      50        0.5        49.5    99.0                                     32      50        0.0        50.0    100.0                                    ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE XIII

    ______________________________________                                        H.sub.2 O Absorbance                                                                  Starting                                                              Elapsed Quantity  Grams      Grams   Percent                                  Time in of Liquid Retrieved  Absorbed                                                                              Absorbed                                 Minutes in Grams  Liquid     Liquid  Liquid                                   ______________________________________                                        1       50        0.0        50.0     100.0                                   Saline Absorbance                                                             1       50        11.7       38.3     76.6                                    2       50        8.5        41.5     83.0                                    4       50        4.4        45.6     91.2                                    8       50        3.6        46.4     92.8                                    16      50        0.6        49.4     98.8                                    32      50        0.0        50.0     100.0                                   ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE XIV

    ______________________________________                                        H.sub.2 O Absorbance                                                                  Starting                                                              Elapsed Quantity  Grams      Grams   Percent                                  Time in of Liquid Retrieved  Absorbed                                                                              Absorbed                                 Minutes in Gram   Liquid     Liquid  Liquid                                   ______________________________________                                        1       50        28.3       21.7    43.4                                     2       50        4.1        45.9    91.8                                     4       50        0.0        100.0   100.0                                    Saline Absorbance                                                             1       50        34.3       15.7    31.4                                     2       50        17.0       33.0    66.0                                     4       50        7.6        42.4    84.8                                     8       50        6.3        43.7    87.4                                     16      50        4.5        45.5    91.0                                     32      50        1.6        48.4    96.8                                     ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE XV

    ______________________________________                                        H.sub.2 O Absorbance                                                                  Starting                                                              Elapsed Quantity  Grams      Grams   Percent                                  Time in of Liquid Retrieved  Absorbed                                                                              Absorbed                                 Minutes in Grams  Liquid     Liquid  Liquid                                   ______________________________________                                        1       50        13.6       37.4    74.8                                     2       50        0.0        50.0    100.0                                    Saline Absorbance                                                             1       50        23.8       26.1    52.2                                     2       50        18.3       31.7    63.4                                     4       50        5.7        44.3    88.6                                     8       50        7.9        42.1    84.2                                     16      50        4.5        45.5    91.0                                     32      50        4.8        45.2    90.4                                     ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE XVI

    ______________________________________                                        H.sub.2 O Absorbance                                                                  Starting                                                              Elapsed Quantity  Grams      Grams   Percent                                  Time in of Liquid Retrieved  Absorbed                                                                              Absorbed                                 Minutes in Grams  Liquid     Liquid  Liquid                                   ______________________________________                                        1       50        4.7        45.3    90.6                                     2       50        0.0        50.0    100.0                                    Saline Absorbance                                                             1       50        18.8       31.2    62.4                                     2       50        9.9        40.1    80.2                                     4       50        6.9        43.1    86.2                                     8       50        3.9        48.4    92.2                                     16      50        1.6        48.4    96.8                                     32      50        2.4        47.6    95.2                                     ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE XVII

    ______________________________________                                        H.sub.2 O Absorbance                                                                  Starting                                                              Elapsed Quantity  Grams      Grams   Percent                                  Time in of Liquid Retrieved  Absorbed                                                                              Absorbed                                 Minutes in Grams  Liquid     Liquid  Liquid                                   ______________________________________                                        1       50        0.2        49.8    99.6                                     2       50        0.0        50.0    100.0                                    Saline Absorbance                                                             1       50        15.5       34.5    69.0                                     2       50        9.2        40.8    81.6                                     4       50        4.8        45.2    90.4                                     8       50        4.8        45.2    90.4                                     16      50        2.2        47.8    95.6                                     32      50        1.0        49.0    98.0                                     ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE XVIII

    ______________________________________                                        H.sub.2 O Absorbance                                                                  Starting                                                              Elapsed Quantity  Grams      Grams   Percent                                  Time in of Liquid Retrieved  Absorbed                                                                              Absorbed                                 Minutes in Grams  Liquid     Liquid  Liquid                                   ______________________________________                                        1       50        0.2        49.8    99.6                                     Saline Absorbance                                                             1       50        8.8        42.1    82.4                                     2       50        9.4        40.6    81.2                                     4       50        2.9        47.1    94.2                                     8       50        2.0        48.0    96.0                                     16      50        0.5        49.5    99.0                                     32      50        2.5        47.5    95.0                                     ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE XIX

    ______________________________________                                        H.sub.2 O Absorbance                                                                  Starting                                                              Elapsed Quantity  Grams      Grams   Percent                                  Time in of Liquid Retrieved  Absorbed                                                                              Absorbed                                 Minutes in Grams  Liquid     Liquid  Liquid                                   ______________________________________                                        1       50        7.9        42.1    84.2                                     2       50        0.0        50.0    100.0                                    Saline Absorbance                                                             1       50        14.4       35.6    71.2                                     2       50        10.5       39.5    79.0                                     4       50        8.4        41.6    83.2                                     8       50        8.0        42.0    84.0                                     16      50        9.5        40.5    81.0                                     32      50        0.3        49.7    99.4                                     ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE XX

    ______________________________________                                        H.sub.2 O Absorbance                                                                  Starting                                                              Elapsed Quantity  Grams      Grams   Percent                                  Time in of Liquid Retrieved  Absorbed                                                                              Absorbed                                 Minutes in Grams  Liquid     Liquid  Liquid                                   ______________________________________                                        1       50        4.3        45.7    91.4                                     2       50        0.0        50.0    100.0                                    Saline Absorbance                                                             1       50        14.3       35.7    71.4                                     2       50        10.9       39.1    78.2                                     4       50        3.0        47.0    94.0                                     8       50        1.7        48.3    96.6                                     16      50        0.0        50.0    100.0                                    ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE XXI

    ______________________________________                                        H.sub.2 O Absorbance                                                                  Starting                                                              Elapsed Quantity  Grams      Grams   Percent                                  Time in of Liquid Retrieved  Absorbed                                                                              Absorbed                                 Minutes in Grams  Liquid     Liquid  Liquid                                   ______________________________________                                        1       50        4.1        44.9    89.8                                     2       50        0.0        50.0    100.0                                    Saline Absorbance                                                             1       50        14.2       35.8    71.6                                     2       50        10.5       39.5    79.0                                     4       50        6.7        43.3    86.6                                     8       50        2.4        47.6    95.2                                     16      50        1.2        48.8    97.6                                     32      50        0.0        50.0    100.0                                    ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE XXII

    ______________________________________                                        H.sub.2 O Absorbance                                                                  Starting                                                              Elapsed Quantity  Grams      Grams   Percent                                  Time in of Liquid Retrieved  Absorbed                                                                              Absorbed                                 Minutes in Gram   Liquid     Liquid  Liquid                                   ______________________________________                                        1       50        10.4       39.6    79.2                                     2       50        0.0        50.0    100.0                                    Saline Absorbance                                                             1       50        13.8       36.2    72.4                                     2       50        10.8       39.2    78.4                                     4       50        3.0        47.0    94.0                                     8       50        0.2        49.8    99.6                                     16      50        0.0        50.0    100.0                                    ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE XXIII

    ______________________________________                                        H.sub.2 O Absorbance                                                                  Starting                                                              Elapsed Quantity  Grams      Grams   Percent                                  Time in of Liquid Retrieved  Absorbed                                                                              Absorbed                                 Minutes in Grams  Liquid     Liquid  Liquid                                   ______________________________________                                        1       50        19.4       30.6    61.2                                     2       50        6.1        33.9    67.8                                     4       50        9.6        40.4    80.8                                     8       50        7.4        42.6    85.2                                     16      50        2.1        47.9    95.8                                     Saline Absorbance                                                             1       50        44.8        5.2    10.4                                     2       50        42.2        7.8    15.6                                     4       50        40.3        9.7    20.4                                     8       50        38.0       12.0    24.0                                     16      50        4.9        15.1    30.2                                     32      50        2.1        17.9    35.8                                     ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE XXIV

    ______________________________________                                        H.sub.2 O Absorbance                                                                  Starting                                                              Elapsed Quantity  Grams      Grams   Percent                                  Time in of Liquid Retrieved  Absorbed                                                                              Absorbed                                 Minutes in Grams  Liquid     Liquid  Liquid                                   ______________________________________                                        1       50        25.3       24.7    49.4                                     2       50        21.4       28.6    57.2                                     4       50        19.1       30.9    61.8                                     8       50        11.7       38.3    76.6                                     16      50        11.4       38.6    77.2                                     32      50        1.5        48.5    97.0                                     Saline Absorbance                                                             1       50        16.8       33.2    66.4                                     2       50        18.9       31.1    62.2                                     4       50        14.7       35.3    70.6                                     8       50        18.3       31.7    63.4                                     16      50        8.5        31.5    63.0                                     32      50        5.0        35.0    70.0                                     ______________________________________                                    

Example 24 represents a composition outside of the scope of the presentinvention. Where the sodium carboxymethylcellulose gum was examined asan absorber of water and saline. Example 23, which although representingthe present invention is not a preferred embodiment for polysiloxane andwetting agent were eliminated. The composition of Example 23 exhibited avery low rate of wetting and did not form a solid gel at 1.5 parts to 50parts water or saline while creating a "slimy" liquid which reached95.8% absorbance in water in 16 minutes and only 35.8% absorbance insaline in 32 minutes. This should be compared to the product of Example22 where at 1.5 parts to 50 parts water or saline the product formed avery solid gel in water and in two minutes exhibited 100% absorption anda very solid gel in saline in four minutes with 94% absorption and 100%absorption in 16 minutes.

As previously noted, Example 24 illustrates the use of a sodiumcarboxymethyl cellulose gum employed as an "absorber" without furtherprocessing. Obviously, it proved most unsatisfactory as it never gelledto immobilize the liquid but instead formed a "slimy" thick liquid. Ittook 32 minutes to reach 97% absorbance in water and only 70% absorbancewas observed at 32 minutes in saline.

It can further be noted from the experimental results recited previouslythat a satisfactory super absorber can be prepared with or without adisinfectant (Example 7) and with or without fragrances (Examples 5 and6). Example 8 further demonstrates that isopropyl alcohol can beemployed to improve absorbance together with the addition of a siliconeoil (Antifoam A).

Examples 9-13 further demonstrate the value of a final polish with analcohol/water mix to increase the saline and water absorbance quantityand rate. In this regard, water should be present in between 1% and 10%of the weight of the sodium carboxymethyl cellulose gum. When this wasused, a 100% absorbance of water was observed in one to two minutes ofaddition and over 90% of the saline was observed to be absorbed in 4 to8 minutes.

Examples 14-18 parallel the compositions of Examples 9-13 with theaddition of the oily disinfectant orthobenzylchlorophenol. It wasobserved that the rate and quantity of absorbance did not suffer inincluding the disinfectant component.

To make a truly disposable product, it is contemplated that theabove-referenced composition be embodied in a water soluble fiber tomanufacture a sheet or covering for use as an absorbent. It iscontemplated that polyvinylalcohol fibers are preferred as these fibersare water soluble at water temperatures of approximately 10° C. to 100°C. with approximately 50° C. to 90° C. being most preferable. Kuralonwater soluble PVA fibers sold by Kuraray can be employed in the 0.5-5.0denier range with 1-4 denier being desirable and 1.5-2.0 denier beingmost desirable. Sheets of such material can be formed via knitting,weaving or can be configured as "non-woven" products as in the formationof a sheet by the mechanical intertanglement of fibers or by theentanglement of fibers by jets of cool water. Such formation techniquesare well known to those skilled in the textile arts.

Sheets of the above-described materials generally have a weight in therange of 10-200 g per square yard with 20-80 g per square yard beingdesirable and 25-50 g per square yard being most desirable.

EXAMPLE XXV

A composition was prepared by first combining the dry ingredientscomprising 865.0 g A-250 and 7785.0 g 7H4CF, both of which arecarboxymethyl cellulose gums sold by Aqualon with 378 g aluminum sulfateas the trivalent ion source. These ingredients were added to a ball milljar and mixed for five minutes.

The wet ingredients were individually mixed by adding 324 g benzoic acidand 9084.0 g ethanol which were rolled for 15 minutes until the benzoicacid fully dissolved. To this liquid was added 1944.0 g FC171, 156.0 gLpH Se which is a disinfectant sold by CalgonVestal and 156.0 g ofVesphene II Se, also a disinfectant. These latter ingredients were alsorolled for 15 minutes and added to the benzoic acid/ethanol solution andshaken well. The liquid ingredients were added to the dry componentsforming a pasty composition which was rolled for 10 minutes. The mixturewas then spread on a horizontal surface as a thin sheet and driedovernight. The composition was then sieved and it was found that it wascapable of absorbing in excess of 1200 cc of saline, lactated ringersand water within a two-minute timespan. These results are particularlysurprising in light of the fact that both the carboxymethyl cellulosegums employed are ordinarily water soluble and are incapable ofabsorbing any significant quantities of aqueous liquid withoutsubstantial mechanical intervention. Even with such intervention, thecellulose gums create nothing more than a gelatin-like mass within abody of aqueous media and are thus considered unacceptable as absorbentsabsent the modification conducted pursuant to the present invention.

EXAMPLE XXVI

An absorbent composition was prepared by mixing 61.2 g of ethanol with31.2 g of FC171. To this liquid was added 11,688.0 g of 50003C which isa polyacrylamide/polyacrylic acid copolymer sold by Mazer Chemical Co.These various ingredients were rolled for 15 minutes and put to oneside. In a separate mixing vessel, 61.2 g of aluminum sulfate was addedto 31.2 g Sipernat 22Hr, 31.2 g soda ash, 31.2 g TSP and 24.8 g DowicideA. These latter ingredients were, themselves, roll mixed for 15 minutesand then added to the fraction containing the polyacrylamide/polyacrylicacid copolymer. The mixture was then spread on a horizontal surface as athin sheet and dried overnight. The composition was then sieved and itwas found that it was capable of absorbing in excess of 1200 cc ofsaline, lactated ringers and water within a two-minute timespan. Inlight of the fact that the polyacrylamide/polyacrylic copolymer is notsoluble in water, there was no need to separately mix the dry and wetingredients as was the case when dealing with anionic polymers such asthe carboxymethyl cellulose gums of the previous examples. Unlike thevarious carboxymethyl cellulose gums of the previous examples, thepolyacrylamide/polyacrylic copolymer employed here is substantiallyinsoluble in aqueous media. As such, there is no particular reason tomix the dry components separately from wet components in this instance.

I claim:
 1. A method of producing a granular absorbent composition, saidmethod comprising dry mixing a particulate carboxylated glucosidicpolymeric material being characterized as having surface anionicreactive sites with a multi-valent metal ion forming surface ionicbridges between various ionic group polymer chains within each polymerparticle while forming a hydrophobic coating on each particle and onlyafter said dry mixing of said polymeric material and multi- valent metalion, adding thereto a lower alkanol dispersant to form a wet slurrywhich is subsequently dried to a granular consistency.
 2. The method ofclaim 1 wherein said anionic reactive sites are located on the surfaceof said polymeric material.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein saidpolymeric material is hydrophobic in nature.
 4. The method of claim 3wherein said multivalent metal ion are surface coated onto saidpolymeric material to form an absorbing granular material having ahydrophobic surface.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein said polymericmaterial comprises one or more members selected from the groupconsisting of starch, carboxymethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulosegum and sulphonated cellulose.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein saidmultivalent metal ion is trivalent.
 7. The method of claim 6 whereinsaid tri-valent metal ion comprises Al⁺³.
 8. The method of claim 1wherein said multivalent metal ion comprises a member selected from thegroup consisting of Ca⁺² and Mg⁺².
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein thelower alkanol comprises a member selected from the group consisting ofmethanol, ethanol and isopropanol.
 10. The method of claim 1 whereinsaid dispersant represents approximately 10-20% by weight based upon theweight of the granular absorbent composition.
 11. The method of claim 1wherein a wetting agent is further admixed with the granular absorbentcomposition in an amount between approximately 0.1 to 5.0% by weightbased upon the weight of the entire granular absorbent composition. 12.The method of claim 1 wherein polysiloxane is contained in said granularabsorbent composition in an amount between approximately 0.01 to 0.05%by weight based upon the weight of the entire granular absorbentcomposition.
 13. The method of claim 1 wherein said granular absorbentcomposition further comprises a sterilizing agent, said sterilizingagent comprises one or more members selected from the group consistingof orthophenylphenol, T-amylphenol, benzychlorophenol, citric acid,boric acid, triethanolamine, sodium borate and methylparaben.
 14. Themethod of claim 1 wherein water is admixed with said dispersant andadded to said dry admixture in an amount between approximately 5.0-25%by weight based upon the weight of the total granular absorbentcomposition.
 15. The method of claim 1 wherein said granular absorbentcomposition contains a dispersing agent.
 16. The method of claim 15wherein said dispersing agent comprises silicon dioxide.